The dark blotch near the dorsal fin is well developed in this 8 cm specimen


Saddle Barbs often swim in mixed shoals with other species, such as the Spanner Barb Systomus lateristriga.

Family : CYPRINIDAE
Species : Systomus banksi
Maximum Length : 18 cm ?

References : F1

Typically barb-shaped, with a pronounced dorsal fin and deeply forked tail, the Saddle Barb generally inhabits clear forest streams but can also be found in less shady, open country streams. It occurs in small shoals.

It can be identified in the field by a large, grey, triangular patch below the reddish dorsal fin, and sometimes a dark patch towards the base of the tail. Juveniles have other dark patches in the posterior half of the body.

The Saddle Barb is easily confused in the field with a similar species, the Two-spot Barb S. binotatus, but the dark patch below the dorsal fin of the latter appears as a small black round spot.

The species has been identified in at least Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Both S. banksi and S. binotatus are found in Singapore; S. banksi is only found in forest streams, while S. binotatus is found in rural areas where it may have been introduced.